(December 1, 2008) – The
Lucky Strike bowling alley, located at the Hollywood/Highland complex in Hollywood, CA, was transformed into an event worthy of media attention.
San Diego Chargers football player
Shawne Merriman’s Lights On Foundation hosted his 3rd Annual “
Lights On Bowl” to a room full of photojournalists, celebrities and fans. Sponsors include:
Creative Artists Agency,
POWERade,
Nike,
San Diego Hall of Champions and
CB Richard Ellis, just to name a few. The event raised funds for two nationally recognized youth outreach programs: “
Feeding America” and “
Stand Up for Kids” – two organizations that are near and dear to the heart of its host
Shawne Merriman as he was once homeless himself as a youth.

Jerry Ferrara (ENTOURAGE) and Shawne Merriman are all smiles on the red carpet

The event began with a red carpet setup along the side entrance of the popular bowling alley venue where celebrities took to the red carpet for photo ops. Celebrities include:
David Arquette (actor and spokesperson for “
Feeding America”),
Jay Glazer, former
New York Giants defensive end
Michael Strahan,
Omar Benson Miller,
Jerry Ferrara, comedienne
Luenell,
Macy Gray (who avoided the red carpet altogether and opted to go to another entrance),
Brandon Molale,
Rohan Marley,
Katie Gill and a host of others that sporadically posed for photos.

Celebrities who attended the event included Omar Benson Miller (MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA) and Brandon Molale (RENO 911! MIAMI)

As one would enter the venue, there were tables set up for the evening’s memorabilia silent auction. Items that were up for bid ranged from autographed footballs and calendars to a snowboard with customized snow boots. These items were on prominent display on three tables in the middle of the room where people can write their bids on paper.

Cupcakes (courtesy of Cupcakes Squared) stood prominently at one of the tables

Another prominent display, courtesy of San Diego-based bakery
Cupcakes Squared and also a sponsor for the evening, was a beautifully arranged tower of assorted flavored cupcakes. For more information about these yummy treats, visit their website at (http://www.cupcakessquared.com). And last, but certainly not least, the most important part of the evening that was media worthy was seeing smiling celebrities take to the bowling alley. One would hear the occasional cheers for a strike or a groan for a gutter ball.

Actor David Arquette also a representative for FEEDING AMERICA along with Shawne Merriman

The evening’s MC
Shawne Merriman did a warm welcome to everyone in the room as he highlighted the purpose for the
Lights On Foundation. Actor
David Arquette was next to speak about his organization “
Feeding America” which provides meals for 25 million Americans including 9 million children.

Fox Sports Analyst Jay Glazer was also co-MC of the live auction

Both men spoke with earnest and honesty about their organizations and thanked everyone for making their appearance worthwhile. For more information about contributing to
Feeding America, visit (http://www.feedingamerica.org). Next up was
Fox Sports Analyst and friend of
Shawne Merriman,
Jay Glazer, who stirred up the crowd for the evening’s main event, the live auction. Items that went up for bid during the live auction include an autographed
Michael Jordan basketball that went for $1,500 to spending a day at the San Diego training camp with
Shawne Merriman and
Los Angeles Lakers courtside tickets. Jay’s humor and auction skills definitely kept the audience’s attention and kept many people laughing throughout. After the auction, Merriman walked throughout the crowd and shook hands and thanked everyone personally.

Silent auction items that were up for bidding included this snowboard with boots and this autographed San Diego Chargers football and helmet

At the end of the night, parting gift bags were given out courtesy of Nike to complete the evening’s festivities. Overall, the purpose and the reasoning behind this event were apparent and that was to not only raise money for these worthy charities, but also to raise awareness to the state of the world and homelessness.